In a clear indication that it was expecting a call from Lt-Governor Najeeb Jung for proving its majority in the Delhi Assembly, the BJP has directed its MLAs to remain present in the national capital.

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Sources in the party said BJP legislators have been asked to remain in the city until further orders. “Though an official whip has not be issued, all 28 MLAs of the party have been verbally told to remain in the city,” a source said.

The directive to the MLAs came soon after Delhi BJP president Satish Upadhyay met Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday.

Sources in the party said a decision on the issue of government formation in Delhi could be taken in a day or two.

“We will be able to take a decision on government formation only after getting an invite from the Lt-Governor. We will explore the possibilities. As far as election of the leader is concerned, we can elect the leader of legislative party within 30 minutes after we get an invite from the L-G,” Upadhyay said.

In a letter to President Pranab Mukherjee, Jung has sought permission to invite the single-largest party in Delhi — the BJP — to form a government. The BJP is five MLAs short of majority. The capital has been under President’s rule since February 17.

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The BJP, along with its ally Akali Dal’s one MLA, has 29 MLAs in the 70-MLA House. It is learnt that expelled AAP MLA Vinod Kumar Binny and Independent MLA from Mundka Rambir Shokeen are expected to support a BJP government.

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Though the party had secured 31 seats, excluding the SAD seat, three of its MLAs, Harsh Vardhan, Ramesh Bidhuri and Parvesh Sahib Singh resigned after they were elected to the Lok Sabha.